Racing head warns Clifford Park racing needs track change

Glen McCullough
Sports reporter
Glen was transferred to the Chronicle editorial section from the comp room in 1992. He worked initially as a racing sub-editor, sport sub-editor and paginator. He worked as a fill-in racing and sport writer during that time before moving into writing full-time.

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THE racing industry's rejection of Clifford Park's Cushion Track surface will lead to Toowoomba becoming an unviable racing venue if steps aren't taken to replace it.

That is the prediction of Racing Queensland chairman Kevin Dixon as Toowoomba Turf Club (TTC) members prepare to vote on whether or not to return its controversial synthetic course proper to a grass track.

Members will decide the Cushion Track's fate at a special meeting on December 19.

The meeting has been called following confirmation Racing Queensland will fund any Cushion Track replacement.

The costs will be met from the $110 million Racing Industry Capital Development Scheme kitty.

The Cushion Track surface was installed on Clifford Park's course proper in 2009.

But a continuing decline in racing numbers and wagering turnover on TTC's Saturday twilight meetings has drawn action from Racing Queensland's new board of directors.

Clifford Park wagering turnover has collapsed by 24.8 per cent over the last two years while the number of horses racing on the track has fallen seven per cent during the last year.

"The main issue with the Cushion Track is it has not achieved the acceptance of trainers and owners in South-East Queensland," Dixon said today.

"At the moment we have a closed community of horses which has led to the lowering of racing standards over a period of time.

"What is needed is to bring Toowoomba back into a position as a mainstay of South East Queensland racing.

"Our projection based on the continuing fall in turnover and acceptances is Toowoomba would become an unviable racing venue in three-to-five years.

"Do you let it die, or do you do something to save it?"

Dixon said Toowoomba's geographical position made its survival crucial to the Queensland racing industry.

"Toowoomba is positioned in a heartland breeding area where we need to sustain a vibrant racing centre," Dixon said.

"It is also a linkage to Western Queensland and is like a stepping stone from that region to Brisbane."